History of Konami in Timeline

Konami is a Japanese multinational entertainment conglomerate renowned for its video game development and publishing. Headquartered in Tokyo, Konami's diverse portfolio extends beyond gaming to include trading cards, anime, pachinko machines, slot machines, and arcade cabinets. They also operate casinos globally and manage health and fitness clubs throughout Japan, showcasing a broad presence across various entertainment and leisure sectors.

March 1969: Konami Founded

In March 1969, Konami was founded. Kagemasa Kōzuki, later known as Kaz Kozuki, operated a jukebox rental and repair business in Toyonaka, Osaka, before transitioning into manufacturing amusement machines for video arcades.

1969: Konami Originated as Jukebox Business

In 1969, Konami originated as a jukebox rental and repair business in Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan, founded by Kagemasa Kōzuki.

March 1973: Konami Officially Incorporated

In March 1973, Konami was officially incorporated as Konami Industry Co., Ltd.

1981: Arcade Success with Scramble and Frogger

In 1981, Konami began to achieve success with arcade games, starting with Scramble and followed by hits such as Frogger.

November 1982: Establishment of Konami Inc.

In November 1982, Konami established their U.S. subsidiary, Konami Inc., initially based in Torrance, California.

1983: MSX Home Computer Games Released

In 1983, Konami released numerous games for the MSX home computer standard.

1984: Konami Inc. moved to Buffalo Grove

In 1984, Konami Inc. moved to Buffalo Grove, Illinois, following their acquisition of arcade distributor Interlogic, Inc.

1985: NES Games Released

In 1985, Konami released numerous games for the Nintendo Entertainment System.

1987: Konami's earnings grew

In 1987, Konami's earnings grew from $10 million due to the success of their arcade and NES games.

1990: Konami started supporting the 16-bit video game consoles

In 1990, Konami started supporting the 16-bit video game consoles, starting with the Super NES.

June 1991: Legal Name Change to Konami Co., Ltd.

In June 1991, Konami's legal name was changed to Konami Co., Ltd.

1991: Konami's earnings grew

In 1991, Konami's earnings grew to $300 million due to the success of their arcade and NES games.

1992: Konami started supporting the 16-bit video game consoles

In 1992, Konami started supporting the 16-bit video game consoles, the Sega Genesis.

April 1993: Headquarters Relocation to Minato, Tokyo

In April 1993, Konami's headquarters were relocated to Minato, Tokyo.

1994: Konami Became a Business Divisional Organization

In 1994, after the launch of the Sega Saturn and PlayStation, Konami became a business divisional organization with the formation of various Konami Computer Entertainment (KCE) subsidiaries.

April 1995: Formation of KCE Tokyo and KCE Osaka

In April 1995, Konami Computer Entertainment (KCE) subsidiaries KCE Tokyo and KCE Osaka were formed.

April 1996: Formation of KCE Japan

In April 1996, Konami Computer Entertainment (KCE) Japan was formed.

October 1996: Konami Computer Entertainment Nagoya, Inc. founded

Konami Computer Entertainment Nagoya, Inc. was founded on 1 October 1996.

1997: Started Producing Rhythm Games and branched off into collectible card game

In 1997, Konami started producing rhythm games for arcades under the Bemani brand and branched off into the collectible card game business with the launch of the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game.

July 2000: Legal English Name Changed to Konami Corporation

In July 2000, the company's legal English name was changed to Konami Corporation, but the Japanese legal name remained the same.

August 2001: Investment in Hudson Soft

In August 2001, Konami invested in another video game publisher, Hudson Soft, which became a consolidated subsidiary.

December 2002: KCEN and KCEK Dissolved

In December 2002, Konami Computer Entertainment Nagoya, Inc. and Konami Computer Entertainment Kobe, Inc. were dissolved.

January 2003: Avranches Automatique handles Konami Arcade game sales

In January 2003, Avranches Automatique began handling sales of Konami's arcade games in Europe outside the U.K. and Ireland.

February 7, 2003: Betson Enterprises took over distribution and service

On February 7, 2003, Betson Enterprises took over distribution and service for Konami's arcade games in the U.S.

December 2004: Merger Announcement

On 16 December 2004, Konami Corporation announced Konami Online, Inc., Konami Computer Entertainment Studios, Inc., Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo, Inc. and Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, Inc. would merge into Konami Corporation.

2004: Consolidated productions teams established

In 2004, Konami consolidated its productions teams into their headquarters, including Pawapuro Production, BEMANI Production, Virtual Kiss Production, Loveplus Production, Kojima Productions and others.

February 2005: Konami Media Entertainment, Inc. would merge into Konami Corporation

On 22 February 2005, Konami Corporation announced Konami Media Entertainment, Inc. would merge into Konami Corporation.

March 2005: Konami Media Entertainment merge into Konami Corporation

On 1 March 2005, Konami Media Entertainment, Inc. merge into Konami Corporation.

April 2005: Konami gains controlling stake in Hudson Soft

In April 2005, Konami acquired a controlling stake in the video game developer Hudson Soft, ahead of its acquisition of the company in April 2011.

April 2005: Konami online, Konami Computer Entertainment Studios, Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo and Konami Computer Entertainment Japan merge into Konami Corporation

On 1 April 2005, Konami online, Konami Computer Entertainment Studios, Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo and Konami Computer Entertainment Japan merge into Konami Corporation.

June 2005: Konami Traumer, Inc would be merged back into Konami Corporation

On 11 March 2005, Konami Corporation announced Konami Traumer, Inc would be merged back into Konami Corporation, effective on 1 June 2005.

November 2005: Announcement of Restructuring

On 7 November 2005, Konami Corporation announced restructuring Konami Corporation into a holding company, by moving its Japanese Digital Entertainment Business segment under Konami Corporation.

January 2006: Konami Sports Corporation merged with its parent company, Konami Sports Life Corporation

On 5 January 2006, Konami Corporation announced the merger of Konami Sports Corporation merged with its parent company, Konami Sports Life Corporation.

February 2006: Konami Sports Corporation merged with its parent company, Konami Sports Life Corporation

On 28 February 2006, Konami Sports Corporation merged with its parent company, Konami Sports Life Corporation, and became Konami Sports Corporation.

March 2006: Merged all video game development divisions into Konami Digital Entertainment Co.

In March 2006, Konami merged all their video game development divisions into a new subsidiary known as Konami Digital Entertainment Co.

March 2006: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. founded

Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. was founded on 31 March 2006.

March 2006: Expected operation of Konami Corporation

The newly established Konami Corporation was expected to begin operation on 31 March 2006.

October 2006: Acquisition of Megacyber Corporation

In October 2006, Konami Corporation announced the completion of its acquisition of mobile phone content developer Megacyber Corporation.

2006: Films based on video game franchises

In 2006, Konami began producing various films based on its video game franchises, including the release of the Silent Hill film in 2006, and the announcement of a Metal Gear Solid film.

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February 2007: Merger Announcement

In February 2007, Konami Corporation announced that Megacyber Corporation would be merged into Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd., effective April 2007, with Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. as the surviving company.

April 2007: Merger Effective Date

In April 2007, the merger of Megacyber Corporation into Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. became effective, with Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. being the surviving entity.

2007: Relocation to Minato, Tokyo

In 2007, Konami Digital Entertainment Co.'s headquarters were relocated to Minato, Tokyo.

January 20, 2009: Electrocoin became exclusive distributor

On January 20, 2009, Electrocoin became the exclusive distributor and after-sale agent of Konami's arcade games in Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and Africa.

September 2010: Agreement to acquire with Abilit Corporation via share exchange

On 21 September 2010, Konami Corporation announced it has signed an agreement to acquire with Abilit Corporation via share exchange.

January 2011: Abilit Corporation was renamed to Takasago Electric Industry Co., Ltd

On 1 January 2011, Abilit Corporation was renamed to Takasago Electric Industry Co., Ltd.

April 2011: Acquisition of Hudson Soft

In April 2011, Konami acquired video game developer Hudson Soft, a company in which Konami had already held a controlling stake since April 2005.

March 2012: Hudson Soft Merger

In March 2012, Hudson Soft officially merged with Konami Digital Entertainment, with Konami Digital Entertainment emerging as the surviving entity.

2012: Absorption of Hudson Soft

In 2012, the absorption of Hudson Soft resulted in the addition of several other franchises including Adventure Island, Bonk, Bloody Roar, Bomberman, Far East of Eden, and Star Soldier.

March 2015: Shift away from Kojima Productions

In March 2015, Konami announced they would be shifting focus away from individual studios, notably Kojima Productions. Internal sources claimed the restructure was due to a clash between Hideo Kojima and Konami. References to Kojima were soon stripped from marketing material, and Kojima's position as an executive vice president of Konami Digital Entertainment was removed from the company's official listing of executives.

April 2015: Name Change to Konami Holdings Corporation

Also in April 2015, the trade name of the company was changed from Konami Corporation to Konami Holdings Corporation.

April 2015: Delisting from New York Stock Exchange

In April 2015, Konami delisted itself from the New York Stock Exchange following the dissolution of their Kojima Productions subsidiary.

April 2015: Silent Hills Cancellation and Delisting

In April 2015, Silent Hills, the ninth installment of the Silent Hill video game series, was abruptly cancelled without explanation, despite the success of its playable teaser, P.T. Hours after the announcement, Konami delisted itself from the New York Stock Exchange.

August 2015: Criticism for Unethical Treatment of Employees

In August 2015, The Nikkei criticized Konami for its unethical treatment of employees.

2015: Shift to Mobile Gaming

In 2015, Konami Digital Entertainment CEO Hideki Hayakawa announced that Konami would stop making console games, with few exceptions, and instead focus on the mobile gaming platform, a decision that was heavily criticized. Konami UK community manager Graham Day pushed back against the reports that Konami would cease AAA game production.

2015: Konami Barred Kojima from Accepting Award

In 2015, Konami's legal department barred Kojima from accepting the award for Best Action-Adventure for his work on Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain at The Game Awards 2015. The audience booed in disapproval of Konami's actions, and host Geoff Keighley expressed his disappointment. Kojima left Konami several days afterwards.

June 2017: Further Reports of Clashes and Actions Against Former Employees

In June 2017, The Nikkei further reported on Konami's continued clashes with Kojima Productions, preventing the studio's application for health insurance, as well as Konami's actions in making it difficult for former employees to get future jobs. Konami also started filing complaints against other game companies that hired ex-Konami employees.

2017: Revival of Well-Known Video Game Titles

In 2017, Konami announced that they would be reviving some of the company's other well-known video game titles following the success of their Nintendo Switch launch title Super Bomberman R.

March 2019: Konami owns 22 consolidated subsidiaries

As of March 2019, Konami owns 22 consolidated subsidiaries around the world.

December 2020: Oscar Isaac to star in Metal Gear Solid Film

In December 2020, it was reported that Oscar Isaac would star as Solid Snake in the adaptation of Metal Gear Solid, which was in development at Sony Pictures and directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts.

2020: Launch of Arespear PC Gaming Brand

In 2020, Konami launched a PC gaming brand in Japan known as Arespear, which includes desktop computers, keyboards, and headsets designed in collaboration with Konami's Bemani musicians.

2020: Headquarters Moved to Ginza District

In early 2020, Konami moved their headquarters to the Ginza district of Tokyo, which includes a facility for holding esports events as well as a school for esports players.

January 2021: Restructuring of Konami Digital Entertainment

On 25 January 2021, Konami announced a major restructuring of Konami Digital Entertainment, which including the dissolution of its Product Divisions 1, 2, and 3 to be reconsolidated into a new structure to be announced at a later time.

July 2022: Corporate Name Changed to Konami Group Corporation

On 1 July 2022 Konami changed their corporate name again from Konami Holdings Corporation to Konami Group Corporation.

April 2023: New Studio Opened in Osaka

In April 2023, Konami announced that it has opened a new studio in Osaka, Japan, located in the Umeda Sky Building south building, to support the developer's growth efforts over the coming decades.

February 2024: Konami Animation Studio Established

In February 2024, Konami Digital Entertainment announced the establishment of its own anime studio called Konami Animation, which will invest in CG technology and know-how fostered from game development into animation.

2024: FIFA partners with Konami for eSports

In 2024, FIFA announced Konami as its new official esports partner. This partnership allows FIFA to host the FIFAe World Cup using Konami's eFootball instead of EA Sports FC. Players can now participate in qualifying matches for two tournaments scheduled for 2024: one for mobile and one for consoles.

May 2025: Arcade Game Business Split Off

In May 2025, Konami announced that it would split off its arcade game business into a new subsidiary known as Konami Arcade Games (led by Bemani musician Yoshitaka Nishimura), leaving Konami Amusement to focus on pachinko and pachislot machines.

November 2025: Strategic Alliance and Cooperation Signed

In November 2025, Konami signed a strategic alliance and cooperation with CyberAgent (including Cygames) and Electronic Arts focused on video game business, as well as the signing of the JOC/JPC, NPB, and J-League became official partners.